First Principles (HC)

FIRST PRINCIPLES examines the flaws and broken promises of modernism, and hopes for renewal in traditionalism. The central spiritual conflict of our time is the struggle between modernism and traditionalism, and the debate over which should be our guide. Many modern conflicts appear intractable because they are hotspots in a larger cold war between entirely different frames of reference. Only by unearthing and examining the divergent frames can we begin to se e which will work better for us. "Thy will be done" versus "My will be done": according to First Principles, modernism and traditionalism differ principally in where they locate the source of values. Modernism believes in an internal, subjective source; it appeals to the ego, and its promises have captured the popular imagination; but its actual practice reveals its destructiveness. Traditionalism believes in an external, objective source: "God" (or gods). Traditionalism is not about traditions, per se - preserving old ways or keeping old rituals - but about dedicating ourselves to Objective Reality's plan.